I don’t think a day goes by when I don’t wish I could take back something that came out of my mouth. It’s not that I use an excess of profanity – I’ve gotten better about that since Louise told me it was unseemly in someone of my age. Usually it’s because I said what was necessary, and then kept on going. Sometimes I find myself saying the same thing over and over. Really, even things worth saying don’t usually bear repeating. At least, not in the same breath.

As I consider this, I have to admit I have a bit of a complex about it. Like maybe as a kid I wasn’t listened to very often or very well (this seems plausible). Especially in a group setting, I am not confident in my ability to convey my thoughts clearly or hold the attention of my audience. So I start talking faster and, often, say the same thing over and over. Not so helpful.

One of the things I love about writing is that I don’t have to worry about anyone’s attention wandering but my own. I can take all the time I need to get the words just so (win a prize! Guess how long it’s taken me to write these few lines!).

Today was the day for this week’s gift. I had an errand to do downtown and felt hopeful about making the right connection. I was near my destination and starting to look for parking when I passed a couple playing guitars in front of a building. It was not far from where I met Timothy almost a year ago.

I found a parking place right down the street. Usually I wander around, sizing people up and pondering for a long time. Today I just made a beeline for the buskers.

They were playing quietly and it sounded really good. A guitar case was open in front of the woman.  Inside were some scattered dollar bills and some CDs with her name: Kate Lynne Logan.

I stood listening, my hands in my pockets. They stopped playing and said hello. Kate Lynne fixed me with her blue-green eyes and I felt the bill crisp between my fingers.

“Hey, you’re sounding really good!” I said. The man said his name was Jeremy and that they were just getting warmed up.

Jeremy and Kate Lynne

“I have something for you but I don’t want to leave it in your case.” They looked at me, puzzled. I pulled out the hundred and handed it to Kate Lynne. “Oh, wow, thank you so much!” she said. “That’s really generous,” added Jeremy.

“You can have a CD,” said Kate Lynne. I reached into the case and took one out. The album is called “Chrysalis”. I’m listening to it as I write.

Then they played me a song. There was a lot of street noise and I couldn’t make out all the words but I loved their folksy yet ethereal and slightly gritty sound. Kate Lynne was born in Portland but lives in Seattle now; she is recording her first full-length album. They said I could snap a few pictures and post them on the blog.”What should I write?” I mused.

“Everybody should listen!” Kate Lynne replied. I said I thought that was a great idea, not to mention a good rule to live by.

Listen.

Kate Lynne Logan, a talented beauty

You can hear Kate Lynne’s music here. Watch a video here about an IndieGogo campaign to help fund her new album.